Volunteer Opportunity

Foster Care

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The San Francisco SPCA's outstanding record of saving underage, underweight kittens is due to our dedicated foster volunteers. Our volunteers open their hearts and homes to approximately 1,000 cats and kittens each year so that they can get to the stage where they are adoptable. The SPCA provides the food and veterinary care; our volunteers provide a safe and loving home.

Volunteer Service and Functions:

Duties

  • Provide care and socialization to the cats/kittens in your care
  • Contact the foster staff or medical help staff when any possible concerns develop
  • Bring kittens/cats back when scheduled, including bringing them in for vaccinations
  • When the kittens/cats are ready for adoption, the foster parent must surrender them back to the SPCA for placement
  • Get a sick cat/kitten to The SF/SPCA (or authorized alternative) quickly in case of an emergency

Qualifications

  • Must be extremely conscientious about monitoring the medical condition, energy level and behavior of the cats/kittens in your care
  • Genuine concern for the welfare of animals, consistent with the philosophy of The SF/SPCA
  • Willing to ask questions or call with any possible concerns
  • Ability to work independently and follow instructions/policies
  • Willing to separate foster animals from your own cats

Training

  • Attend initial foster care class
  • Receive ongoing training from medical staff, cat behavior staff or others depending on the needs of the animals in your care

Time Commitment

  • Depends on number and amount of medical care/socialization needed. A minimum of two hours a day.

Customer Service

  • Practice and encourage the humane treatment of animals.
  • Provide quality customer service to clients, volunteers, and staff while actively promoting our mission, services, programs and events.
  • Promote donation and giving opportunities as appropriate.

Volunteers and Staff

  • Work cooperatively with all volunteers and staff and recognize the talent and commitment they bring to the Society.

Safety

  • Ensure a safe work environment; following all safety guidelines and modeling safe work practices.
  • Take immediate action to address any safety concerns that could put a staff member, volunteer, client, animal, or the organization at risk.

Physical Requirements and Work Environment:

  • Consistently exposed to animals and animal allergens under conditions with limited alternatives available.

Reporting Relationships and Contacts:

  • Foster Facilitator

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities:

  • Commitment to the mission, values, goals, and success of the San Francisco SPCA